CO129-446 - Others & Individuals - 1917 — Page 243

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3

TELEPHONE

CITY 5886.

sir,

A

CHINA

ASSOCIATION,

99, CANNON STREET,

29th Sept. 1917.

J.

48894

LONDON, E.C.

REC

RECE 300 17

On the subject of Service salaries on the China Station

regarding which I wrote to you on the 16th August, I have now the

honour to pass on details of a further telegram which we have receiv-

ed from our Hongkong Branch in which they ask us to try and get cer-

tain Chambers of Commerce and Members of Parliament to support the

grant of compensation for the loss incurred the Services owing to

the recent advance in Exchange.

by

A

The telegram further states that they have telegraphed

direct to the Prime Minister urging him to send some reply to their

telegram of the 25th July, and then informs us that unofficial Members

of the Hongkong Legislative Council have offered to support a grant

from the funds of the Colony sufficient to provide for the loss in

Exchange suffered by the Services on the Station.

My Committee venture to hope that His Majesty's Government

will recognise the patriotic spirit in which this substantial support

is freely offered and would respectfully suggest that authority be

given to His Excellency the Governor to agree to the course proposed

by the unofficial members, at any rate, for the duration of the war,

and in view of the extreme urgency of the case, that the matter will

be dealt with at the earliest possible moment. and that compensation

be retrospective.

I have the honour to be,

sir,

Your most obedient servant,

4. Anderson

Chairman.

H.M.Under Secretary of State

for the Colonies

Colonial Office,

Downing Street, S.W.1.